News Guide Africa

Tag: John Dramami Mahama

  • Julius Debrah: ​The Power Behind Mahama’s Global Triumph on Reparations

     

     

    ​By Adnan Adams Mohammed, Financial and Economic Journalist and Human Right Advocate 

     

    ​Watch video:

     

    The Kotoka International Airport was charged with a palpable sense of national pride last night as a high-powered delegation, led by the Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, gathered to welcome His Excellency John Dramani Mahama following his historic mission to the United Nations General Assembly.

    ​The atmosphere was one of celebration and solemnity, marking the successful adoption of a landmark UN resolution on Transatlantic Slavery and reparations, a diplomatic victory largely attributed to the “brave and wise leadership” of the President.

     

    The Epicenter

    Chief of Staff Julius Debrah

    At the center of the welcoming ceremony was Julius Debrah, the man long regarded as the administrative engine of the Mahama machinery. Dressed in a modest olive-green shirt, Debrah’s presence was a reminder of the strategic administrative support that has bolstered Mahama’s international standing.

    ​Addressing the media and a throng of enthusiastic supporters, Mr. Debrah emphasized that the success at the UN was not merely a personal win for Mahama, but a monumental shift for the African continent. He noted that the administrative groundwork and the relentless pursuit of justice for the historical wrongs of the slave trade have finally found a global resonance.

    ​“We are here to welcome a leader who does not just speak for Ghana, but for the conscience of the world,” Debrah stated, his voice steady with conviction. “The adoption of this resolution on reparations is a testament to what vision and meticulous planning can achieve on the global stage.”

     

    ​A Historic Resolution

    The resolution, which seeks to address the lingering legacies of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and paves the way for formal discussions on reparations, was a key highlight of this year’s UN session. Observers note that Mahama’s vocal advocacy and high-level lobbying were instrumental in building the consensus needed for the resolution’s adoption.

    ​For Julius Debrah, whose tenure as Chief of Staff has been defined by a focus on efficient governance and results-oriented diplomacy, this triumph is the fruit of years of consistent policy positioning. His role in coordinating the administrative logistics and political strategy behind Mahama’s international engagements has been cited as a crucial factor in the former President’s continued relevance and influence.

     

    ​National Pride

    As H.E. John Mahama emerged to the cheers of the crowd, the synergy between the leader and his top administrative lieutenant was evident. The “Mahama-Debrah” partnership continues to demonstrate a formidable blend of charismatic leadership and backroom strategic depth.

    ​The adoption of the UN resolution is being hailed by pan-Africanists and human rights advocates as a turning point in the quest for global racial justice. For Ghana, it reinforces its position as a moral leader on the continent.

    ​As the convoy departed the airport, the message was clear: Ghana has returned to the forefront of global diplomacy, fueled by the bravery of a statesman and the unwavering administrative support of a dedicated team.

     

     

  • Hon. Thomas Yao Atidefe attends the relunch of the National Sanitation Day

    Hon. Thomas Yao Atidefe attends the relunch of the National Sanitation Day

    The Chairman and Founder of Atidefe Foundation, Hon. Thomas Yao Atidefe officially attended the relaunch of the National Sanitation Day (NSD) as part of his effort to contribute to Nationalism and Patriotism.

    According to him, the relaunch of the National Sanitation Day which is aimed at keeping Ghana Clean by restoring discipline and empowering local and traditional authorities, is a good call by the government. “We must all respond and support this national call by the President”.

    The government has encouraged all MMDAs to prioritize desilting of drains, removal of refuse heaps, cleaning of markets, lorry parks, schools, and major roads and routes in their jurisdictions.

    In an address by His Excellency the President John Dramani Mahama during the event, the National Sanitation Day would be used as a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), and foster citizen participation and accountability.

    “I have ordered eighty percent (80%) release of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to all MMDAs to enable them function properly and therefore no MMDCE should give an excuse for lack of funds to carry out such activities” the President said.

    To sustain compliance, Assemblies were to mobilise environmental health officers, waste management contractors, and community volunteers as well as submit monthly sanitation reports to their Regional Coordinating Councils for onward submission to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

    MMDCE who do not comply with sanitation bylaws and even allow construction of structures on water ways and unapproved areas would be sanctioned severely. Such punishment could be removal from office as the MMDCE.

    Those MMDAs who would maintain cleanest environment in their jurisdictions shall be awarded from next year.

    “Sanitation will now be a key performance indicator (KPI) for all MMDCEs and their performance as District Chief Executives will be judged directly on their results in cleanliness”, the Minister for Local Government Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim) said.

    He pointed out that the NSD, when complied with could lead to transformation of communities.

    According to Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for LGCRA, the relaunch of the National Sanitation Day is a renewed social contract between government and citizens, anchored on enforcement, accountability and sustainability.

    In an interview with Hon. Thomas Yao Atidefe, “We must make Ghana clean, a dirty environment means we would always send people to the hospital. We should put in much effort to make our environment clean”.

    In short statement by Madam Happy Darrah, Secretary to the Atidefe Foundation, we must uphold virtues of cleanliness. Modernization does not mean leaving our environment dirty; as cleanliness is next to Godliness.

    Some dignitaries present at the event were the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. Lawyer George Opare Addo, Hon. Gizzella Tetteh Agbotui, Deputy Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Hon. James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nana Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, President of National House of Chiefs, Nii Takie Teiko Tsuru II, President of the Ga Traditional Council, Madam Akosua Agyepong and many others.

  • Oil funds for ‘Big Push’ will be efficiently used, Mahama tells PIAC

     

     

    President John Dramani Mahama has assured members of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) that oil revenues earmarked for his proposed $10 billion “Big Push” infrastructure initiative will be efficiently disbursed and managed.

    The President gave the assurance during a courtesy call by the PIAC members. Led by its Chairman, Mr Constantine K.M. Kudzedzi, the Committee members visited to congratulate the President on his recent election victory and discuss matters concerning the management of Ghana’s oil revenues.

    President Mahama outlined his government’s ambitious plan to invest $10 billion over the next five years, allocating $2 billion annually, into priority infrastructure projects across the country.

    These projects will target key sectors, including roads, major bridges, education, and health infrastructure, as well as areas vital for boosting productivity in the agriculture sector.

    He specified that agricultural projects under the “Big Push” would encompass irrigation schemes, construction of farmer service centres, and support for agribusiness development.

    The President stated that the primary sources of funding for this significant policy initiative would be petroleum revenue and minerals royalties.

    Commending PIAC for its vital role, President Mahama praised the Committee’s efforts in monitoring and ensuring transparency and accountability in the utilisation of Ghana’s petroleum revenues.

    He highlighted PIAC as a commendable model for other countries seeking effective oversight mechanisms.

  • Tax concerns in Mahama’s next gov’t

    President Elect

     

    Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    President-elect, John Dramani Mahama’s promise to cut or abolish a number of taxes in his 120days governance faces mixed concerns from the public.

     

    While other stakeholders of society uphold that, it is unrealistic for the next Mahama’s administration to cut or abolish some of the taxes; that is, e-levy, the COVID levy and the 10% levy on sportbets as it will affect the economy while affecting the moral standard of the young population. Some economists believes otherwise.

     

    An Economist, Dr Theo Acheampong has stated that there will be minimal impact on public finances when the e-levy and Covid levy are removed. In his analysis of these two taxes, he explained that together, they raised GHS3.259 billion or USD 296 million in 2023, accounting for 2.4% of total domestic revenue or 0.4% of Ghana’s 2023 Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

     

    “These two taxes can easily be scrapped. In my view, scraping them would have a limited impact on public finances but bring significant relief to many citizens and businesses,” Dr Acheampong shared on his social media handle.

     

    However, the Institute of Community Sustainability has said that sports betting threatens the well-being of Ghana’s youth. According to the Institute, the proliferation of sports betting, particularly among young people, has reached alarming proportions hence their call to the government to consider increasing the betting tax to 50% from the current 10% to curb this menace.

     

    President-elect Mahama, during the campaign towards 2024 elections promised to scrap sports betting tax and others.

     

    “First is resetting the economy for prosperity. In the first 120 days in office, we will hold a national economic dialogue to draw up a four-year fiscal consolidation plan. We would rationalize taxes, abolishing among others the obnoxious e-levy, the COVID levy and the 10% levy on bets winning.”

     

    However, a s statement issued by the Executive Director of Institutes of Community Sustainability, Eric Jerry Aidoo, said that the current state of sports betting in Ghana is worrisome. Many young people are spending an inordinate amount of time and money on betting platforms, with some staking 50% of their winnings only to lose it all again.

     

    According to the Institute, “This vicious cycle of betting and losing is not only draining the financial resources of our youth but also eroding their productivity and potential.

     

    “If left unchecked, this betting epidemic could have severe consequences for our society. Desperate individuals may resort to crime, such as robbery, to fund their betting habits. Companies may also suffer as employees squander their salaries on betting, leading to financial losses and decreased productivity.”

     

    In contrast, advanced countries have recognized the dangers of betting addiction and have established rehabilitation centers to provide support and treatment to affected individuals. Unfortunately, Ghana lacks such facilities, with only five psychiatric hospitals available, which are not even up to standard.

     

    “Increasing the betting tax to 50% would be a bold step towards addressing this issue. The revenue generated from this tax could be channeled towards establishing rehabilitation centers and providing support services for individuals struggling with betting addiction”, the Institute posited.

     

    Moreover, a higher betting tax would also serve as a deterrent to young people who are tempted to indulge in sports betting. By making betting more expensive, we can reduce its appeal and encourage our youth to seek more productive and fulfilling pursuits.

     

    Consequently, another analysts, Chief Executive Officer of Dalex Finance, Joe Jackson, raised concerns about how the incoming Mahama administration will generate revenue for development if it removes all the taxes it has promised to abolish.

     

    Jackson highlighted the significant challenges in managing the economy, particularly with the manifesto pledge to remove certain taxes, including the e-levy.

     

    “Let us not be mistaken, in 2025, we have to look at how we are performing in terms of revenue because some of the items are going to go out. There has been a manifesto commitment to take out the e-levy, betting tax, the COVID levy. So a lot of issues are going to come out and I have no doubt in my mind that the challenge is going to be huge”, Dalex CEO said during a TV conversation.

     

    “So, let’s focus on the E-levy and COVID-19 levy, two consumer taxes that irk many Ghanaians and for which both the NDC and NPP promised to do something about, besides other tax handles.